Dr. Edward M. Murphy is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Astronomy from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and his Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Virginia in 1996. Professor Murphy was a postdoctoral fellow and an associate research scientist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he worked on NASA’s Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). In 2000 he joined the faculty at the University of Virginia, where he used FUSE, along with radio telescopes, in his research on the interstellar medium. Professor Murphy teaches courses on introductory astronomy, a course for first year students in their first semester at UVA o intelligent life in the universe, a seminar on how to teach astronomy to graduate students, and he recently developed a course Mission to Mars where students explore what the first human mission to Mars will be like. He was elected to the Raven Society in 2011, was named an University of Virginia Office of Engagement Outstanding Faculty Speaker in 2012, and was awarded the University of Virginia Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award in 2014. Dr. Murphy gives astronomy talks, appears regularly on local radio, and leads professional development workshops for teachers. He has also worked with the Science Museum of Virginia to develop planetarium shows and exhibits.